Zeiraphera vancouverana McDunnough

Distribution

Micro-habitat(s)

Terminal shoot, Needle

Damage, symptoms and biology

Zeiraphera vancouverana is a common pest of Sitka spruce sometimes causing visible damage to new terminal shoots.

Mature larva up to 11 mm long. Head and thoracic shield golden brown. Body, purplish brown with a subdorsal creamy yellow stripe; two pairs of prominent dark dorsal spots (pinnacula) on the dorsum of each abdominal segment.

This species overwinters in the egg stage. Larval emergence begins in late May, coinciding with the opening of the new buds. Larvae are present from late May to June. Once the larvae are mature, they drop to the ground where they pupate. Pupation lasts up to 3 weeks. Adults emerge from July to early August.